Rocking Chair identity?

I'm in the U.S. but picked this up at a reputable antique shop, so who knows which country it is from.
I am a bit befuddled I can't find an approximate match let alone a close match on the web. Nor a clue to a brand. It's not marked, so maybe it is from a mom/pop shop or foreign.

 

It's a puzzeling chair. Everything about it is curved and knobby -- except the back slats (!) and that top. Any chance it a...what do you call it? Forgot the term!

 

Marriage?

 

Speaking of marriage, my wife took a picture of the screws holding the arms.

 

Thanks, Chopper.

Duh!

 

Ummmm....Ghopper, actually. And you're welcome!

 

On a closer examination, the seat appears to be solid.

 

I think it is a very interesting chair.
Early 1900s mahogany rocker with MOP (mother of pearl) inlay.

Most antique furniture is not marked with a manufacturer's name.

Did you buy it for yourself or to sell?

 

Initially my wife bought it for 'us' but lately she has been having her doubts because of the difficulty in identifying it. She fears it may be a 1950-60 repro.
We can't even get a close match on the web, or even a hint at the country of origin or maker, and you'd think if it was a reproduction, they'd be a dime a dozen. I had seen a black Regency chair (not rocking) that had a similar top back rest design (coming to a point), but that was about it.
I'm usually pretty good at tracking things down on the web, put this one takes the cake.

 

It is not a 1950s reproduction.

However, even if it were and she liked it, the price was right and it fits with your other furniture - What difference would it really make?

Most antique furniture is not marked by the maker. There are some pieces that can be attributed to high end manufacturers. The average family, couldn't afford those high end makers, just like today. They bought good quality that they could afford.

Sears and Montgomery Ward supplied a lot of homes with decent quality furniture.
I think your piece is well above that.

Back in the 1980s, everything started to have a label.
Back in the 1880s most things were not labeled.
Not everything you collect will be identified. You buy because you like, and it fits your price range.

Read the forums, many things that people have for 40 years are just now being identified. In the meantime, they have liked whatever and used it for all that time.

So what does it matter if you can't find an exact match? Nothing really.

 

Right on!

 

My wife likes antiques and for her it makes a difference if a chair is 1980 or 1880. Perhaps quality, craftsmanship, material all play a part, but most of all the idea of having a repro instead of an original make just doesn't sit right with her.
As far as an 'exact match' goes, that's basically for identification purposes, as in...'What is it?'

 

As we said above, NOT a reproduction. The difference of opinion is only in which decade one or the other of us thinks the chair is from.

 

I wish I could convince her of that. She likes the pre-20th century stuff and even the 1910-1930s makes her squirm. But our major hope is to get a radar fix on this in hopes of some sort of identification.

 

Does the screw, (fourth picture down on this page) give any clue?

 

Not a big clue. It seems that whether the chair is 1920s or 1950s, it's still 20th century. If your wife loves Victorian chairs like I know I do, real ones can be had pretty cheaply these days. Just hit a couple of antique stores, and you can probably find a Victorian-era rocker for $100-$200, less if you go to a good estate sale. Maybe alot less!

As it is, you've got an attractive, solid chair that isn't new. It should give a lifetime of service, I would think.

 

Yes, people collect old furniture for many reasons & "old" is very important to some. The wife's reasons to collect are just as valid as anyone's, I collect for construction details, others collect for history, some for family pieces, there are a blue million reasons people collect, one is no better than another i would say.

 

I am goin with Cluttered on this one, a quick google brought up this example
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/s...6iKPMpIvnHVY5Sgd9p4aAoytEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds


Rocking Chair, Edwardian, Country Kitchen, Windsor Elbow Chair, circa 1910

 

Thanks for the info, the pic is about as close to anything I have found thus far.

 

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/victorian-mahogany-rocking-chair-134955774



You may have to click "original listing"
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Early-1900-039-s-Mahogany-Mother-of-Pearl-Inlaid-Rocker-Highly-Decorated-/272318185382?nma=true&si=KP%2FnXFzCg5JIiWhBXrWUdFRzr7g%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557


https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/4506774_188-marquetry-and-mop-inlay-rocking-chair-rocker


It is a lovely rocker, with age to it. Not 1950s as suggested.